When Your VMware Licence Is Lost: What Resellers Need to Do Next

Broadcom's changes to the VMware partner programme have altered the landscape significantly. For many IT resellers, this means losing access to licensing, and with it, the ability to sell, support and operate VMware solutions independently.

This is not just a technical adjustment. It directly affects your business and your ability to meet customer expectations.

A VMware Pinnacle Partner supporting you

Following the acquisition, the VMware partner ecosystem was reduced considerably. Only a limited number of organisations retain full access to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF).

team.blue, via UKDedicated, Curanet, Proserve and Combell, is one of those organisations.

As a VMware Pinnacle Partner, we enable you to continue delivering VMware-based services, even if your own licence is not renewed. You can keep serving your customers through our platform, while maintaining full ownership of those relationships.

We provide:

• Licensing, operations and support
• White-label solutions
• Access to a dedicated VMware team with certified expertise

A shifting market

When reseller licences disappear, the impact extends beyond the reseller itself — customers are affected too. They are often forced into decisions earlier than expected, creating both operational and strategic uncertainty.

A recurring question emerges: "Is VMware still the right platform to build on after Broadcom's changes?" It is a fair question, and one we take seriously.

A balanced perspective, including on VMware

We understand the concern. Having worked extensively with VMware, we know that vendor decisions can influence both partners and customer trust.

Our position is clear: we prioritise our partners, not vendors. If we cannot confidently support a solution, we would not recommend building a business around it. Our view on VMware is based on experience and detailed evaluation, not brand loyalty.

Evaluating the alternatives

Since the acquisition, we have maintained close dialogue with VMware and Broadcom. Our Head of Technology, Michael Munk Lassen, has been deeply involved in this collaboration for over two years.

This has provided insight not only into partner programme changes, but also into the platform's direction.

At a group level, team.blue has assessed alternative platforms across both technical and commercial criteria. The outcome is consistent: no alternative currently delivers the same combination of cost efficiency, operational stability and security. This conclusion is grounded in thorough analysis, not preference.

Why VMware remains a strong choice

When customers review the full context, many continue with VMware — not out of habit, but because of what it delivers. The platform is mature, widely proven and stable at scale. Its ecosystem is extensive, and the required expertise already exists within organisations.

VMware Cloud Foundation has further streamlined the platform by integrating compute, storage, networking, security and automation into a single solution, reducing complexity and improving operational consistency.

Looking beyond licence costs

Exploring alternatives is natural. However, the largest costs are rarely tied to licensing alone. They are typically found in:

• Migration complexity and associated risks
• Reworking applications and network structures
• Time investment and skills development

In some cases, moving back to on-premises setups may appear attractive but often leads to higher long-term costs and reduced flexibility.

A VMware environment you can continue to offer

We provide a VMware-based virtual datacentre (private cloud) that you can deliver under your own brand.

• Scalable from small deployments to large environments
• Flexible operating model — managed by us, by you, or shared
• Full VMware compatibility without infrastructure overhead

Moving forward

If your VMware licence is no longer available, there are still viable ways to continue operating. Our approach ensures:

• Your customer relationships remain yours
• Your business model is preserved
• Your VMware services can continue without disruption

Back to blog